Cape Town - Dozens of parents and teachers banged on court furniture and chanted the words “not without a fight” in the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday.
The group is trying to halt the closure of 18 schools in the province.
The schools, their governing bodies and the SA Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu) are seeking an interdict against provincial education MEC Donald Grant and Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to prevent the schools being shut on December 31.
Those seated in the public gallery started singing and chanting after advocates met with Judges Siraj Desai, Dennis Davis and Elizabeth Baartman in chambers. It was unclear what they talked about.
The applicants maintain the planned closures are unlawful and unconstitutional.
Eduardo Fagan, for Grant, said the decision to close the schools was done in accordance with education policy and guidelines.
Fagan said it was not the court's job to determine policy.
The application seeks to prevent Grant or the department from closing or merging the schools and moving pupils, teachers, and resources.
Grant announced in October that, after careful consideration, the schools would be closed because of low enrolment numbers, multi-grade classes, or a decline in pupil numbers. - Sapa